History of Spa Tourism in the Herculane Baths Resort
Hidden among the hills of Valea Cernei, in a picturesque landscape, there is a unique place in Romania. A place where the thermal waters of the mineral springs come together to form one of the oldest spas in the world. Located in the city of the same name, 5 km from the main road connecting the west of the country with Bucharest, the Herculane Baths Resort is a peace of heaven where famous personalities have visited to enjoy some peace and quiet but also the healing effects of thermal waters.
Roman Rule
The resort has a documented age of over 1848 years. Documentary attestation of the resort dating back to 153. The exact date was discovered in a tabula votive in the baths which reads: "To the gods and divinities of the waters, Ulpius Secundinus, Marius Valens, Pomponius Haemus, to Carus, Val, Valens, sent as Roman delegates to assist in the election as consul of their former colleague Severianus, returning unharmed, they raised this offering of gratitude...".
Long ago, during the golden era of the Roman civilization, the resort on Valea Cernei was a famous point of attraction for the greats of ancient Rome. Shortly after the arrival of the Romans in Dacia, the Roman nobles were impressed by the healing power of the waters of Valea Cernei. They created a spa cult under the name and blessing of Hercules.
In this exceptional monument, numerous vestiges from the time of the Romans were discovered: aqueducts, baths, statues, coins, but also votive tablets that were erected as signs of thanks to the gods for divine healing.
Long ago, during the golden era of the Roman civilization, the resort on Valea Cernei was a famous point of attraction for the greats of ancient Rome. Shortly after the arrival of the Romans in Dacia, the Roman nobles were impressed by the healing power of the waters of Valea Cernei. They created a spa cult under the name and blessing of Hercules.
In this exceptional monument, numerous vestiges from the time of the Romans were discovered: aqueducts, baths, statues, coins, but also votive tablets that were erected as signs of thanks to the gods for divine healing.
Austrian Rule
After the Peace of Passarowitz in 1718, it can be said that the modern and contemporary history of the Herculane Baths, which at that time was part of the Austrian Empire, begins.
From 1736, various modernization and reconstruction projects of the baths and the access roads were started. The buildings of the new austrian baths present Baroque-Austrian elements.
Over time, the Herculane Baths had been visited and appreciated by great personalities, including Emperor Joseph II, Emperor Francis I and Empress Charlotte, Emperor Franz Iosef and Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Since 1852, there is a document in which the Emperor of Austria praises the Herculaneum Baths: "the most beautiful resort on the continent", and Empress Sissi noted in her intimate diary the special presence of this resort.
Shortly after, following the appreciation by the Austrian nobility, the resort knows a new stage of flourishing. The constructions that were erected after 1852 were made according to the projects of the Austrian imperial court architect Wilhelm Doderer. At this stage, the Decebal (Franz Iosef) and Traian (Carol, Rudolf) hotels, the Casino building and the Austrian Imperial Baths were also built.
From 1736, various modernization and reconstruction projects of the baths and the access roads were started. The buildings of the new austrian baths present Baroque-Austrian elements.
Over time, the Herculane Baths had been visited and appreciated by great personalities, including Emperor Joseph II, Emperor Francis I and Empress Charlotte, Emperor Franz Iosef and Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Since 1852, there is a document in which the Emperor of Austria praises the Herculaneum Baths: "the most beautiful resort on the continent", and Empress Sissi noted in her intimate diary the special presence of this resort.
Shortly after, following the appreciation by the Austrian nobility, the resort knows a new stage of flourishing. The constructions that were erected after 1852 were made according to the projects of the Austrian imperial court architect Wilhelm Doderer. At this stage, the Decebal (Franz Iosef) and Traian (Carol, Rudolf) hotels, the Casino building and the Austrian Imperial Baths were also built.
In the Herculane Baths resort, you can visit the Nicolae Cena Museum, whose collections began to be established in 1922.
